Thanksgiving is on its way. What are you going to say when it’s your turn to say what you’re thankful for? Your family, friends, job, home? It’s easy to be thankful for these things, because they bring you happiness, health and comfort.

But what about being thankful for the things that don’t bring you joy?

Have you ever stopped to show your thanks for your annoying roommate, the fact that you had to work an extra-long shift at work or the cold that kept you in bed last week? Why would anyone even be thankful for such inconveniences?

It’s not so easy to be thankful for things that seem bothersome, but as you show your thanks for the things you don’t like, you’ll adopt a more positive view of the world. Find out why this is so important below and then read some quotes about thankfulness to help you become a happier person.

Why Being Thankful Is Important

It might seem silly. Why would you be thankful for things you don’t like, or even hate? They don’t bring you anything positive, right? Wrong.

The things that bother or annoy us in our lives aren’t only there to be a burden. These things can have a positive influence on our lives, if we let them. Having the right outlook on the things you hate can transform how you see them. You’ll start seeing the good in them and how they might make you a better person.

For example, if you dislike one of your co-workers, everything they do can seem obnoxious and infuriating. You may not agree on anything. However, instead of allowing your negative feelings about them to take over, try being thankful. Be thankful you have somebody at work to challenge you and open your eyes to other viewpoints. Be thankful for the times that your co-worker has helped you with a project or made the coffee in the morning.

By finding the small things to be thankful for and shifting your focus to how they are helping you instead of hurting you, you’ll have a better view on that co-worker and on your workplace in general.

This technique can work for anything you are unhappy about. Caught the flu? Be thankful you have a doctor and access to medicine to heal you. Woke up late? Be thankful you have a job to get to in the first place. Got in a fight with a loved one? Be thankful they’ll still love you, no matter what.

By transforming your thinking in this way, your view of the world will become more positive and you will feel more joy and thankfulness every single day.

Quotes To About Thankfulness And Looking On The Bright Side

Here are a few quotes about thankfulness to inspire you to be more thankful about everything in your life, good and bad.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.” – Sam Lefkowitz

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” – Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity … it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

“It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment.” – Naomi Williams

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” – Tecumseh

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” – Alphonse Karr

“We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.” – Neal A. Maxwell

“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” – Frank W. Clarke

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder

“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” – Henry Ward Beecher

This Thanksgiving, use these quotes about thankfulness to help you notice the good that is all around you, even in the things you don’t like. Learning to be thankful for the things you don’t like can change your life in big ways. It’s worth trying.

About Kayla Matthews

Kayla Matthews writes Productivity Theory and is constantly seeking to provide new tips and hacks to keep you motivated and inspired! You can also find her on Huffington Post and Tiny Buddha, and follow her on Google+ and Twitter to stay up to date on her latest productivity posts!